A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 94

94. The One Entrusted and the One Who Entrusted

The political landscape of Gangnam was changing rapidly. The Blood 봉련 [Blood Lotus Cult], which was expected to collapse soon, gained strength from the addition of the Blood Dragon Gate and began full-scale operations in Guizhou, Guangxi, and Hunan in Gangnam.

Minor sects and martial arts centers close to the Namgung Clan immediately began to receive blatant pressure from the Blood 봉련, and merchant guilds and escort agencies under the protection of the Namgung Clan were attacked.

Naturally, requests for help poured in for the Namgung Clan. In response, the Namgung Clan took an active stance, sending Namgung Ryeol, the head of the Outer 청 [Outer Faction], himself.

They dispatched an unprecedented number of people, with thirty-six direct descendants of the clan and over a hundred warriors from allied sects.

Everyone sensed that a clash between the Blood 봉련 and the Namgung Clan was imminent. It was not difficult to predict that the result would be a one-sided defeat for the Blood 봉련.

In fact, Namgung Ryeol of the Outer 청 quickly resolved the situation in Hunan Province. The sects and martial arts centers in Hunan Province associated with the Blood 봉련 had to swear allegiance to the Namgung Clan or simply take down their signboards.

Riding on this momentum, Namgung Ryeol divided his forces into two at this point, sending himself to Guizhou Province and the other half to Guangxi Province.

Fifty elite warriors, including direct descendants of the Namgung Clan, could easily handle most minor sects or martial arts centers, so it seemed like a reasonable choice at first glance.

However, the result was shocking.

The Namgung Clan’s forces, led directly by Namgung Ryeol to Guizhou, suffered a shocking defeat in an attack by the Blood 봉련.

“That’s not all. The details are not yet clear, but Namgung Ryeol Daehyeop [Great Hero] of the Outer 청 is said to have been seriously injured.”

Jeok Se-hwa said quietly.

“Namgung Ryeol Daehyeop?”

Jeok Se-ho asked back with a serious expression. Namgung Ryeol of the Outer 청 of the Namgung Clan was a figure who boasted unrivaled martial prowess within the Namgung Clan.

Except for the head of the family, no one could match him. Even Namgung Jun, the 부청주 [Deputy Head] known as 열혈 [Fervent Blood], deferred to Namgung Ryeol of the Outer 청, the 열혈검 [Fervent Blood Sword].

“This is surprising.”

Jeok Cheol-gwan, the 관주 [Head] of the Horyeon Martial Arts Center, said in a heavy voice.

“Is the opponent the Blood 봉련 after all? Or, in effect, the Blood Dragon Gate?”

“No.”

Jeok Se-hwa shook her head.

“The person who seriously injured 열혈검 Namgung Ryeol Daehyeop is said to be a warrior from the Blood 봉련 named 귀견수라 [Ogre-Shouldered Asura].”

“귀견수라?”

That was a name Jeok Cheol-gwan had never heard before. He looked at Jeok Se-ho, wondering if it was a name he knew, but he also shook his head.

Jeok Se-hwa said.

“I’ve never heard of the name either. Other than the fact that he belongs to the Blood 봉련 and uses a red blade, his original sect and background are completely unknown.”

“What does 혁련세가 [Hyeokryun Clan] say they’re going to do?”

“They say they’re expressing concern for now, but it seems there’s quite a bit of schadenfreude within 혁련세가. Even though the Namgung Clan asked for their understanding, some feel that Namgung Ryeol Daehyeop’s unilateral dispatch of forces to Guangxi Province was a disregard for 혁련세가.”

“Hmm. That’s probably true. Guangxi Province can be said to be 혁련세가’s territory.”

The Blood 봉련 deliberately took a hands-off approach to sects associated with 혁련세가. Because of this, the prevailing opinion within 혁련세가 was to observe the situation further.

There was no reason to get involved in someone else’s fight and shed blood.

“There were claims that 혁련세가 should immediately send forces because of the Namgung Clan’s entry into Guangxi Province, but this incident seems to have strengthened the wait-and-see attitude again. It seems we’ll have to wait a bit longer before we get an official request for mobilization.”

“Is that so…….”

관주 Jeok Cheol-gwan was silent for a moment. Then he said to Jeok Se-hwa.

“Thank you. You’ve done well.”

“You’re welcome. I just came back from chatting with the young ladies.”

Jeok Se-hwa replied with a smile.

Currently, only rumors are rampant about the political situation in Gangnam, and accurate information is not known.

혁련세가 is tight-lipped, saying the atmosphere is not good, so even cooperative martial arts centers do not know the exact details.

In times like these, Jeok Se-hwa’s ‘network of women’s information’ is playing a rather important role.

“Se-hwa, continue to gather information. And Se-ho, continue to focus on martial arts training. I will personally guide the disciples for the time being.”

“Yes.”

Jeok Se-ho bowed his head and accepted his father Jeok Cheol-gwan’s command. His face was also hardened as he sensed the difficult times ahead.

“Se-hwa, you may leave now.”

Jeok Se-hwa respectfully bowed to Jeok Cheol-gwan and left the office.

탁 [Sound of door closing].

“Hoo.”

Jeok Se-hwa sighed softly.

‘These days, it’s like walking on thin ice. It would be nice to relax with Cho-bin at times like this.’

It would be a little better if the two of them could eat something delicious and laugh and chat, but Eun Cho-bin is on a 표 행 [Escort Mission] for Soeun Escort Agency right now, so they can’t meet. With the political situation in Gangnam like this, I’m even worried about Eun Cho-bin.

자박, 자박 [Sound of footsteps].

As Jeok Se-hwa was slowly walking with a gloomy feeling, an old servant approached her.

The old servant bowed his head to Jeok Se-hwa and said.

“Young lady. Someone from Soeun Escort Agency came a little while ago.”

The old servant took out a thin letter wrapped in silk from his pocket.

“He asked me to deliver this to you…….”

‘Could it be Cho-bin?’

Jeok Se-hwa was happy and quickly accepted the letter.

It was a letter she had hoped Eun Cho-bin had sent, but she had to be slightly disappointed to see it wrapped in fine silk and tied with tassels.

‘It’s not.’

The letter seemed to have been formally requested to be delivered through the escort agency.

“Ah, thank you for your trouble. Thank you.”

The old servant bowed again and hurried away.

사락 [Sound of silk rustling].

Jeok Se-hwa carefully unwrapped the silk and took out the letter. And at that moment, her face hardened.

바스락 [Sound of paper crumpling].

She unknowingly put strength into the hand holding the letter. Jeok Se-hwa slowly read it again from the beginning. The contents of the short letter were simple. Jeok Se-hwa sighed again.

“Haa. I think I’ll have to go see Young Master Son…….”

Jeok Se-hwa shook her head.

“He always causes so many problems, doesn’t he?”

After wrapping the letter neatly again, Jeok Se-hwa hurried her steps. But a playful smile was spreading across her face.

*

*

*

Son-bin’s 서원 [Seowon – Private Confucian Academy] is always open.

In fact, one side of the 서원 only has a shabby wooden fence instead of a wall, so it’s the same as being open even when the door is closed, but it still plays its role in designating an entry point.

‘Hmm.’

Jeok Se-hwa stopped right next to the door. She was slightly hoping that there might be some sight inside the house that she didn’t know about.

‘Last time it was Namgung Cheon Daehyeop, so this time it might be the former 패검 [Overlord Sword]…….’

Slightly, Jeok Se-hwa peeked her head in. And she met the eyes of the four people looking at her.

“What is it? Why do you always just stick your head in?”

No-gun said grumbling.

“Ah, Young Lady Se-hwa. Please come in.”

Son-bin gets up with a smiling face. Jeok Se-hwa gives an awkward smile and steps inside.

She politely bows to No-gun and Shin-ui, and also greets Son-bin. Son-bin also politely returned the greeting. She lightly greets Dang Wol-ah, but she only slightly bows her head, as always, barely noticeable.

“We were just having tea. Would you like some?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“컥! [Gasp] Isn’t that the first cup from the second brew?”

No-gun says in surprise. Son-bin nods with a puzzled expression.

“Yes. It is…….”

“That, that’s something I wouldn’t even give to my cherished concubine…….”

No-gun said with a frown. This tea that the former 뇌검 [Thunder Sword] had given him seemed to be quite to No-gun’s liking, as he was drinking it sparingly.

“Tsk.”

Shin-ui clicked his tongue as if he was dumbfounded.

Son-bin jokingly asks No-gun.

“Then, should I not give it to her?”

“No, that’s not what I meant…….”

Son-bin offered Jeok Se-hwa a seat and served her tea.

“Thank you.”

Jeok Se-hwa, expressing her gratitude, took the teacup and slightly bowed her head to No-gun.

“Thank you.”

“크흠 [Ahem]. It’s not like I’m giving it to you, so what’s the thanks for……. It’s good, so drink it well.”

사락 [Sound of tea pouring].

The soft scent of tea rises from inside the teacup, and the morning sunlight gently shines on the 서원. Feeling the cool breeze brushing against her ears, Jeok Se-hwa enjoyed the leisure for a moment.

“It’s good tea.”

No-gun, who was half-pleased by her mumbling, said.

“Isn’t it? It’s really good.”

A smile spread across Jeok Se-hwa’s face at the sight of No-gun smiling with wrinkles all over his face. Who would believe that this seemingly kind old man is Namak No-gun?

“Ah, right.”

바스락 [Sound of rustling].

Jeok Se-hwa took out a letter neatly wrapped in silk from her pocket.

“Young Master Son, a letter has arrived for you.”

“A letter?”

Son-bin asked back with a puzzled face. For a very brief moment, No-gun’s eyes shone sharply, and Dang Wol-ah also turned her gaze to the letter.

“Yes. From a beautiful young lady. You’re surprisingly popular.”

Son-bin accepted the letter. The thin letter wrapped in fine silk and tied with tassels rustled in his hand.

“I read it first because it was for me. But the contents were actually for Young Master Son.”

Jeok Se-hwa said, raising her teacup. Son-bin took out the letter, unfolded it, and read it.

“This is…….”

Son-bin frowned slightly as he read the letter. Jeok Se-hwa smiled.

“The handwriting is pretty, isn’t it? It’s a neat and very polite sentence.”

달칵 [Sound of teacup].

Jeok Se-hwa put down her teacup.

“I don’t know why Young Lady Moryong Rin of the Moryong Clan, or rather, the Moryong Clan, invited Jinryong Daehyeop, but have you known each other before?”

Son-bin remembered the name Moryong Rin. She was the young lady he had seen at the Gangnam Yongbong Assembly last time.

It seemed like it was their first meeting, but he also seemed to have seen her somewhere, and he remembered looking at her carefully, wondering if she was related to 군자검 [Gentleman’s Sword] or Moryong Jin, who had fought 사자혁 [Lion’s Mane Hyuk] at 악양루 [Yoyang Tower].

“I don’t know her personally. No, more than that…….”

As Jeok Se-hwa expected, Son-bin shook his head. If they knew each other, they wouldn’t use such polite and formal sentences.

“This letter is not for me?”

“Yes?”

Son-bin said, handing back the letter with a serious expression.

“This is a letter for someone named Jinryong Daehyeop, not me.”

Jeok Se-hwa had a blank expression for a moment. But that was only for a moment, and Jeok Se-hwa smiled brightly.

“Some people call Young Master Son that way.”

Son-bin still had an uncomprehending expression. Come to think of it, it seemed like former 뇌검 Namgung Cheon had said something like that a while ago.

“Why me…….”

“If you don’t feel like it, you can ignore the letter.”

Jeok Se-hwa said.

“Looking at the contents of the letter, Young Lady Moryong Rin is not sure either. She only asked me to deliver it if I happened to know the whereabouts of Jinryong Daehyeop.”

That’s what she said. Jeok Se-hwa continued.

“She says she wants to express her gratitude, and that this will be a good opportunity for Young Master Son as well. It’s probably not a bad intention. It might really be a good opportunity. But I don’t know if the good opportunity she’s thinking of is something that Young Master Son would like.”

Her point accurately pierced Son-bin’s inner thoughts.

“Moryong Clan…….”

No-gun, who was sipping tea and listening, said quietly.

“It might not be bad.”

When Son-bin looked at him, No-gun just shrugged his shoulders and savored the tea again. As if he didn’t know anything at all.

바스락 [Sound of rustling].

Son-bin unfolded the letter again and read it.

Polite and courteous sentences were written in neat handwriting. It was a letter with quite a bit of sincerity.

Can he just ignore this invitation?

“It’s okay.”

Jeok Se-hwa said as if she had read Son-bin’s mind.

“It’s just an invitation from their side. If you don’t feel like it, you can just not go.”

홀짝 [Sound of sipping].

After taking a sip of tea, Jeok Se-hwa said.

“But, it’s quite a poetic expression, isn’t it? The sentence that she wants to express her gratitude for saving her life with a beautiful sword.”

“킁 [Snort].”

No-gun snorted.

“It is a beautiful sword. But the reason that sword is truly beautiful is because it is held in the hands of the one who deserves to hold it.”

There was a deep resonance in that voice.

Jeok Se-hwa was silent for a moment, reflecting on his words. Son-bin also didn’t say anything.

It seemed like the matter of the letter was coming to an end like that.

*

*

*

Late at night, Son-bin, who had returned after finishing his training, sat at his desk instead of entering his 침소 [Bedroom], adjusting his collar. And he quietly drew 선검 백로 [Immortal Sword Baekro/White Dew].

스릉 [Sound of sword being drawn].

Baekro’s beautiful blade revealed its appearance, sparkling in the flickering light.

Son-bin lightly placed Baekro’s blade on his other hand. It was as beautiful as ever, and as aloof as always.

‘The hands of the one who deserves to hold it.’

Son-bin quietly repeated No-gun’s words.

Am I truly worthy to hold this sword?

The kind face of the old 도사 [Taoist Priest] 떠올랐다 [Came to mind] over the sparkling appearance of Baekro.

―It’s nothing difficult. Just teach him some of the ways of life. Later, if you happen to meet him by chance.

The old 도사, Hwanghak Jin-in [Yellow Crane True Man], who gave Baekro, said with a smile.

‘Later, by chance…… there’s no way that will happen.’

Son-bin bit his lip with a bitter expression.

That was the old 도사’s will. On his last journey, he was entrusting his disciple to a stranger he was seeing for the first time.

How could that feeling not be heartbreaking, and how could that determination not be solemn.

―I want to give my sword to that child, but it will probably be difficult to do so. So can you take care of it?

He entrusted the sword he had spent his whole life with. A sword that Son-bin, who knew nothing, could tell at a glance was extraordinary.

At that time, he just vaguely felt a pain in his heart, but now Son-bin knows.

What kind of heart that old 도사 had when he asked him to take care of his disciple.

Only after becoming a teacher did he finally understand the heart of a teacher.

“Hoo.”

Son-bin took a deep breath. And he sheathed Baekro.

탁 [Sound of sword being sheathed].

Baekro’s beautiful blade hid, and Son-bin quietly muttered with a hardened face.

“I, I made a big mistake.”

He doesn’t know what the old 도사 saw in him to ask him to take care of his disciple.

But that request was something the old 도사 risked his life on.

It is clearly Son-bin’s mistake that he has not fulfilled that promise until now.

While Son-bin is turning a blind eye, using his own circumstances and situation as an excuse, what will the heart of that young 청년 [Young Man], Seo-rin, who is waiting for him, be like?

If his little disciples were abandoned somewhere and desperately waiting for Son-bin, what would his heart be like?

Son-bin felt a pain in his heart just thinking about it.

“I made a big mistake.”

Son-bin muttered again as if lamenting. His deep eyes were becoming stained with pity.